I recently had a primary genital herpes outbreak. It was the worst experience ever. Approximately twenty oozing blisters, extreme pain while urinating, difficulty walking, swollen lymph nodes in my groin, and I couldn't get out of bed for days. I was seen in a clinic and a culture was performed. It came back positive for HSV-1.
I tested negative for HSV-1 nine months ago through a blood test. I have been seeing someone for a year, and in the past he has told me he gets cold sores, but I've never seen him with one. We did have sex 5 days and also 12 days before my outbreak, but no oral was performed. He did spit on my genital area during sex.
Approximately 14 days before my outbreak, I was extremely intoxicated and sexually assaulted. There was no penetration, but I believe this man did try to perform oral on me. I am still traumatized from it and trying to deal with it.
After researching HSV-1, I feel like I still don't have a lot of definite answers. I'm hoping to clear them up here.
My questions are as follows:
1. Which encounter was most likely to have given me HSV-1? I have read that primary outbreaks generally occur within 2-10 days of exposure. Could saliva have been enough to cause a primary genital outbreak if the man I am seeing was shedding the virus orally?
2. Does genital to genital transmission occur for HSV-1? I read that it is theoretically possible, but not probable, but I can't find any data on it whatsoever.
3. Can I give the man I'm seeing genital HSV-1 if he already has cold sores, and antibioties to HSV-1?
4. Why did I not get HSV-1 during the year I have been seeing him until now?
5. For future sexual partners, is disclosure an absolute must? Over half the population carries the HSV-1 virus, and it is almost impossible to transmit genitally from what I understand. I also understand I may never have another outbreak. What do most of you with genital HSV-1 do? Any doctors with thoughts on this?
6. Why do most people never have any symptoms after they are exposed to this virus, but some do? Is there a problem with our immune systems?
Thank you in advance for your help.